Lawn Boy (Evison novel)
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| Author | Jonathan Evison |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | |
| Publisher | Algonquin Books |
Publication date | April 3, 2018 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 320 |
| ISBN | 978-1-61620-262-0 |
Lawn Boy is a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age novel written by Jonathan Evison and published in 2018 by Algonquin Books. It tells the story of Mike Muñoz, a young adult Mexican American who has faced hardship ever since his childhood and is now going through a phase of self-discovery.
Lawn Boy's narrative was praised by Kirkus Reviews, who said "[t]he first-person narration turns Mike into a living, breathing person, and the reader can't help but get pulled into his worldview." The writer also commented on Jonathan Evison's use of humor in the book, saying he "brings genuine humor to Mike's trials and tribulations", but noted a negative tone the protagonist has to many issues in his life.[1]
Carol Memmott, reviewing for The Washington Post, says "Evison takes a battering ram to stereotypes about race and class" in Lawn Boy. Memmott also comments on how the novel deals with racism in the United States, citing a section of the book to exemplify how Muñoz is "constantly reminded of what it means to be brown in America." She concludes the review by saying that "Evison has written an effervescent novel of hope that can enlighten everyone."[2]
The book received a starred review by the Library Journal, which stated "Evison combines humor, honesty, and anger with an insightful commentary on class that's also an effective coming-of-age novel."[3] Writing for the School Library Journal, Mark Flowers called it a "readable and deeply thought-provoking" novel, and noted some of the themes explored in the book, such as "race, sexual identity, and the crushing weight of American capitalism". Flowers also commented on how "Evison's often infective enthusiasm for his preponderance of ideas weighs down the demands of the plot."[4]
Lawn Boy was one of American Library Association's Alex Awards recipients of 2019, "for the ten best adult books that appeal to teen audiences".[5]
